Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 143 (Part 1):

-What Darien Left Behind-

“I think I’ll be leaving now.”

Early in the morning, that was what Alea said to Helmut. There wasn’t a need to pack up yet, but she had roughly organized a few days ago. Having only the essentials made it so there wasn’t much to organize.

Alea asked,

“Will you be leaving right away too?”

“From the dormitory, soon. I plan to visit Ethan and then leave Baden in the afternoon.”

After visiting Ethan for one last lunch together, testing the artifact sent by the dean, and finishing preparations, he would leave Baden.

If their destinations were the same, it might have been nice to travel together at least part of the way, but neither of them intended to share their plans with the other. They shouldn’t have. Sian and Asuka felt the same.

The two, burdened with secrets, hesitated in silence, dragging out the time without even knowing what to say.

Their gazes met. Staring into her violet eyes, there was a certain ache in one side of his chest. It felt like his heart was throbbing.

Helmut was gradually realizing that this symptom wasn’t due to Alea’s magic.

Eventually, it was Alea, who had decided to leave first, who broke the silence.

“If anything happens, use the bracelet to call me. It’s single-use, so don’t call without a good reason.”

“Alright.”

“Have a good holiday.”

With that simple farewell, he, no, she turned around. Thud. The door closed, and Helmut, who had stood there for a while, began to move.

There was no time to waste. Everyone would leave, but eventually, they would meet again in Baden, here at Greta Academy.

Two months later.

It wasn’t far into the future. Helmut decided to look forward to that time.

***

‘Do you want me to carry out your vengeance?’

Helmut had asked Darien this in the past. At that time, Darien had answered,

‘No.’

However, Darien clarified that his intention in teaching Helmut the sword was not to send him off to die. Helmut had accepted and affirmed this without further questioning.

Less than a year had passed since then, but Helmut had changed. He regretted not asking more detailed questions, a time when he couldn’t guess the underlying meanings without explicit statements.

‘If Darian wanted revenge. But he couldn’t ask me to do so because he was thinking of me.’

Ethan believed that Helmut rightfully should seek revenge. Not because of Darien’s grudge, but because it was the right thing to do.

Traitors must pay for their sins. That was Ethan’s notion of justice.

That also meant Darien had not lived a life that deserved betrayal.

‘Darien said he wouldn’t leave the Forest of Roots because he would have to seek revenge if he did.’

Did that mean Darien was capable of revenge?

Helmut had no doubt that he would eventually reach Darien’s level. However, it was also true that he was far from it still.

‘But I can start looking into it now. Even if I deal with it later.’

Who Darien’s enemies were. He needed to see them with his own eyes and judge whether they deserved death without hesitation.

If they were good people or had already repented, then Darien, who didn’t even want to kill Erugo, who was breeding humans in the Forest of Roots, would not want revenge. Even those who committed evil deeds, sometimes deserve to live depending on the situation. Darien always thought about the greater good.

‘I don’t need to go that far.’

Helmut made it clear within himself. Since it was about Darien, he would follow his will. But if they targeted him, he would eliminate them without mercy.

Actually, Helmut didn’t plan to find out about Darien’s past right away. During the holiday, he thought of earning money since he couldn’t hunt magical beasts due to the influence of magic. Whether it was through requests or whatever. He had also planned to explore major countries like the Empire, to which many students from Greta Academy belonged.

But Ethan’s offer changed his mind.

‘How about visiting the place where Darien used to live?’

It was an unexpected suggestion. Helmut tilted his head thoughtfully.

‘I heard a martial arts tournament is being held there. The dean said he would give you an artifact with a transformation spell as a reward for passing the 10th level. The dean is a remarkable Mage. If it’s his artifact, there’s no doubt about its effectiveness. You could participate anonymously.’

Helmut was intrigued. He responded positively.

‘That’s a good idea.’

‘It’ll also be a good opportunity to test your skills. But…’

‘I shouldn’t reveal my swordsmanship. Is that what you mean?’

If he displayed Darien’s swordsmanship in Darien’s homeland, it would increase the chances of someone recognizing it.

‘Yes, but the common swordsmanship should suffice. There’s practically no one in this Greta Academy who could be a match for you. Aren’t you itching to fight?’

There was one. Alea. But that one person was someone Helmut couldn’t fight.

As a mage, her combat ability might be less than Helmut’s, but Alea had passed the combat test up to the 10th level. She might be a more challenging opponent than Talon. A good sparring partner.

But he couldn’t even jokingly suggest sparring with her.

‘Alea is out of the question.’

It was rare for him to find someone strong yet undesirable to fight. But Alea was special. Somehow, this fact was naturally accepted.

Helmut made up his mind.

‘I’ll participate in the tournament.’

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